Feed-bag for horses



No Model.)

. M. BURTON.

FEED BAG FOR HORSES. No. 326,103. Patented Sept. 15, 1885.

N. PETERS. Phnlwhthognpher, Wnlhillgfion, D. C.

.. UNlTED STATES PA ENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW BURTON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FEED-BAG FoR HORSES.

SPED'IPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,103, dated September 15, 1885.

Application filed August 14, 1884.

To all whom it Hwy concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEW BURTON, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Feed-Bags for Horses,'of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to feedbags for horses and other animals; and it consists in certain improvements,whioh are fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof.

Heretofore portable feed bags for horses have been made of long tubes closed at the bottoms and fitting more or less closely about the head of the horse in the region of the eyes, the lower part of the head being entirely inclosed within the bag. The lower parts of these bags have been provided with gauzecovered apertures for the admittance of air.

The objection to these bags was, that when placed in position themouth of thehorse must be forced down into the feed, or when he has eaten the greater portion he could not reach the remainder. This is objectionable, as it materially interferes with the breathing of the animal, who is compelled to draw in through the nostrils all manner of dirt and dust, producing irritation, which in some cases extends to the eyes. In his endeavor to obtain the last portions of the feed the animal is apt to toss his head, stirring up the fine dust within the bag, which is either drawn into the nostrils or blown up into the eyes. In time, too, gauzecovered apertures become clogged with dirt and dust and obstruct the passage of air. The present feed-bag is therefore not only objectionable in that it makes the animal suffer, but is also injurious to the health of the beast,- in many cases producing irritating sores and impaired sight.

The object of my invention is therefore to overcome these existing objections by providing a feed-bag in which the horse eats from a shallow open receptacle a few inches in height, and into which the feed is automatically dclivered, so that it is always at the same distance from the mouth, and one in which the nostrils are uninclosed, therefore preventing any possibility of their becoming charged with dust and dirt.

Feed-bags have also been proposed very (No model.)

similar in general construction to that set forth in this application. Patent No. 141,686 is shown a device inwhich the feed is retained in a bag and fed down,

provements of construction upon these devices, by which the parts are reenforced by metal and yet made collapsible.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of my improved feed-bag. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, showing the horse in act of eating. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the same when collapsed or not in use, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the division-plate.

A is the bottom, and is preferably formed of wood, and may be fiat or curved, as indicated in dotted lines A".

B is a canvas or leatherwall a few inches in height, and extends about three-quarters around the bottom A, being re-enforced for part of its way around the upper edge by a wire rim, G, the said wall forming the eating receptacle K, which is bounded on the rear by the vertical division-plate D, having flanges D on the sides, and extensions or lugs d on the bottom, the upper edge, D and flanges D being provided with holes d. The rear edges of wall B are secured to the lower part of the plate D, and the lugs d enter recesses A in For instance, in

bottom A, or rest thereon to keep the bottom of plate D clear of the bottom A, and thus form aperture E, through which the feed from bag F may pass.

F is the bag for containing the feed, and is made of canvas or leather,,and is secured to the rear end of bottom A and to the sides and top of the plate D, as shown, either by rivets f or by being sewed. The upper edge of this bag is provided with draw-strings G, to close the orifice and prevent spilling of the feed.

H are straps, which are adapted to hold the bottom A horizontal, and are arranged to extend over the horses head, as atI, being made adjustable by buckles J. The upper edge of the bag F may be supported by said straps H through the agency of the strap This bag F is supported up under the neck of thehorse, while the eating-receptacle K is directly 1111* der his mouth, as shown in Fig. 2. The ordinary movement of the animals head insures a ready and automatic delivery of the requisite quantity of feed into the receptacle K from the bag F through the aperture E.

The division D is made of metal to prevent the bulging which would take place if made of canvas or leather; but I do not limit myself to making it of any particular material.

In closing or collapsingthe feedbag the lugs d of the plate D are lifted clear of recesses A, and then the parts are closed down flat, as shown in Fig. 3.

'Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination ofthe bottom A, shallow walls B, having the re-enforcing wire O, metal plate D, having lugs d, which rest upon the bottom A and form passages under said plate D, bag F, and supporting-straps Hg, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a horse feed-bag", the wooden base or bottom A, having notches A, in combination with the metal plate D, having lugs or extensions d, which fit into the notches A, and thereby hold the said plate from displacement, and also holes (1, by which said plate is secured to the leather portion of said feed-bag, either by rivets or sewing leather portion B around one part of the base or bottom A, secured to the lower part of the division-plate D, and the rear or bag portion, F, secured. to the bottom or base and also to the sides and upper edge of the plate D, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

M ATTHEVV BURTON.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. HUMMEL, J AMES S. PHILLIPS. 

